A systematic review of the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for carers of people with dementia
- 1 May 2001
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Informa UK Limited in Aging & Mental Health
- Vol. 5 (2), 107-119
- https://doi.org/10.1080/13607860120038302
Abstract
Historically, there have been many attempts to develop interventions to support the carers of people with dementia. To date the evidence of effectiveness has been limited. However, the success of psychosocial interventions for carers of people with schizophrenia has suggested the possibility of utilizing this approach. A systematic review was undertaken to assess the evidence of effectiveness for psychosocial interventions with carers of people with dementia. Thirty controlled trials that evaluated a psychosocial approach were identified. The overall methodological quality of these studies was poor, particularly with regard to sample size, and methods of random allocation. Individualized interventions that utilized problem solving and behaviour management demonstrated the best evidence of effectiveness. This approach is also closest to the effective model of psychosocial interventions currently in use with other severe and enduring illnesses. This suggests that there is scope for developing interventions, based more specifically on this model, for supporting the carers of people with dementia.Keywords
This publication has 38 references indexed in Scilit:
- Effectiveness of cognitive–behavioural family intervention in reducing the burden of care in carers of patients with Alzheimer's diseaseThe British Journal of Psychiatry, 2000
- A preliminary study of the effects of early intervention with people with dementia and their families in a memory clinicAging & Mental Health, 1998
- An evaluation of an augmented domiciliary service to older people with dementia and their carersAging & Mental Health, 1998
- Determinants of carer stress in Alzheimer's diseaseInternational Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 1998
- A Comprehensive Support Program: Effect on Depression in Spouse-Caregivers of AD PatientsThe Gerontologist, 1995
- Dementia sufferers living at homeInternational Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 1994
- Quasi‐experimental evaluation of an educational model for dementia caregiversInternational Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 1994
- Efficacy of a support group programme for care-givers of demented patients in the community: a randomized controlled trialArchives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 1994
- Effect of a training programme to reduce stress in carers of patients with dementia.BMJ, 1989
- Counselling carers of the elderly at home: A preliminary studyBritish Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1988